The notion of a trip to Napa Valley invokes most people, myself included, into a whimsical daydream of leisurely afternoons spent among vineyards while drinking in California sunshine, which isn’t far too off from the reality. The region has practiced viticulture since 1812 and produces the bulk of California’s coveted fine wine, boasting a trendy Michelin Star food scene all set against the backdrop of Northern California’s rolling hillsides. As per our annual end of summer trip, to curb the seasonal version of Sunday scaries, James and I carefully choose a three-day escape at Napa’s signature hidden gem, Carneros Resort and Spa.

Upon first glance of the resort, I’m instantly reminded of the vast Northern Illinois property where I fondly spent summer vacation as a child. Plants graze the entrance and we are briefly silenced by the view of the rolling hillsides which the property rests upon. The reception area is housed in a beautiful and completely renovated farmhouse. As a friendly receptionist gives us the lay of the land and offers us a Domaine Carneros Pinot (a wonderful way to start a getaway, by the way), I sit in awe of the classic, rustic space touched thoughtfully by modern accents. Rather than rooms, Carneros Resort and Spa offers each guest their own cottage, creating an unparalleled sense of privacy and comfort. The cottages are split up into “neighborhoods,” each one affectionately named after an herb grown on property. In addition to micro-grown herbs, the 28-acre property is (to my delight) covered in apple and fig trees, fresh flowers, and an array of foliage that is nothing short of a work of art.

Post-tour and another glass of welcome wine (for good measure), we practically run to our cottage in the Verbena neighborhood. At the end of a stone-studded path scattered with apple trees, we climb the stairs to our porch to find two pearly white rocking chairs— like something undeniably out of a fairytale. The space itself is breathtaking; warm country whites, neutral greens, and faded blues adorn the cottage and a large leather loveseat makes for an inviting perch while we enjoy our local cheese and charcuterie welcome platter paired perfectly with a bottle of Domaine Carneros 2012 Late Disgorged Brut. We double take at the attention to detail and emphasis on luxury country living when we find that our glass walls slide completely open, connecting the rustic chic back patio to our sprawling king-sized bed. I marvel at the porcelain outdoor bathtub and connected indoor/outdoor shower, making a mental note of qualifications for our future home search. We flop down on the feathery mattress and take a leisurely afternoon doze listening to the trickle of water from the vintage farmhouse fountain that rests on the patio.

After our indulgent snooze, we wake yearning for a decent dose of Vitamin D after months of June gloom. We don’t waste a minute and venture to the Hilltop Pool, the property’s adults-only destination that offers a picturesque view of the countryside, the promise of R&R, and an infinity edge pool that drops down to a hot tub. A few hours of opulent relaxation pass by and our curiosity about the rest of the property wins out against our desire to stay put for the next three days (which is actually plausible due to 24-hour access). We take our bright orange beach cruisers, a signature Carneros offering and possibly my favorite amenity, and ride through the quaint neighborhoods to the town square. Named accurately for its status as a gathering place, the town square sits between FARM restaurant, the Market (our go-to for coffee and gourmet snacks), and the carefully curated onsite boutique, COOP. As I clumsily park my beach cruiser, I notice that the square is filled with guests enjoying the orange hues of dusk, making use of the bocce ball court, and playing friendly rounds of corn hole in the grass, many with a craft cocktail in hand. Bartenders and chefs alike walk out of FARM, to the property’s garden, plucking fresh garnishes to adorn drinks and appetizers; local, organic, and sustainable just got a new definition in my book.

Three rounds of bocce ball later, the chill of the valley settles in and we return to the cottage, waving to our newfound friends on the way out. Wanting to continue my day of bliss, I make a beeline for the patio. I draw an outdoor bath adding in complimentary salts and a few candles on the side tray—I am really upgrading my self-care Sundays. I spend the next hour with my most recent read and a glass of full-bodied red. Feeling the familiar grumble of my stomach, I’m all too excited to converse with James about the array of gourmet dining options both on property and in the surrounding area. We conclude, all too easily, to stay put; why venture off when seasonally sourced cuisine is at the tips of our fingers?

A longing look at the menu and a quick call to cottage dining is all it takes to bring farm-to-cottage. The in-room dining at Carneros comes from the kitchen of Napa’s infamous, Boon Fly Cafe, which sits conveniently on property. We start off with Crispy Truffle Fries sprinkled with parmesan cheese, parsley, and malt vinegar aioli, my personal weakness. After a few minutes of repeated incredulous praise for the fries, we move onto our mains; New York Steak with truffle butter for James and Roasted King Salmon for me. The salmon is seared to buttery perfection and complemented by seasoned lentils, balsamic baby carrots, and a crisp arugula side salad. Our night comes to an ideal ending as we close the patio doors, opt for the indoor fireplace, and can’t resist making one last call to cottage dining for a warm apple crisp to top off the perfect day.

As a routine early riser, I can never sleep in on vacation despite the cloud-like king mattress and dreamy darkness of our curtain-drawn cottage. I silently creep out the door, leaving James to his favorite getaway pastime (hint: it’s sleeping) and after wandering the property, I end up at the 3,000 square foot fitness center. I am probably too excited to see a brand new Peloton bike and consequently spend the next forty-five minutes virtually joining in on a live class in NYC. As a bit of a health nut, I always take notice of a property’s subtle nudges towards wellness, for the body and for the mind. From saltwater pools (goodbye inflammation), to a state of the art fitness facility, and the inclusion of health-conscious cuisine, such as an acai bowl and paleo breakfast scrambles, Carneros fits the bill for an indulgent escape with a small dose of wellness.

The key to any good getaway lies in the details. For us, the details entail a ninety-minute Passion Preludes Massage at the recently reimagined Spa at Carneros. James is less than ecstatic about the pre- 10 a.m. wake up call, but I am determined to soak up every amenity that the spa has to offer. Fortunately, thirty minutes later he is singing my praises as we sit, wrapped in plush white robes, in the relaxation lounge—an awe-inspiring open space with sunny wooden vaulted ceilings, 360-views of wine country, and carefully-curated rustic-chic decor. I take notice of the faint scent of lavender as I flip through the pages of their collection of coffee table books. Six hours and one glorious couples massage later, James and I practically float out of the spa and I can honestly say that I have never felt so relaxed.

I’m pretty committed to the notion of save-the-best-for-last, so to celebrate our last night and silence any thoughts of ever leaving Carneros, we head to FARM, a fine-dining destination that showcases Napa Valley’s abundance of local farmers and imaginative cuisine. Our server comes over to take our order and anticipating our internal conflicts regarding the array of menu items, he suggests the chef ’s tasting menu; a curated, rotating menu created by Chef Andrew Budnyj. We happily oblige. First up, is ahi tuna beautifully garnished with watermelon radish and microgreens (from the Carneros garden, no less). I can’t keep my mouth from watering as a decadent plum purée is drizzled artfully over the dish. It’s as if the server senses my longing gaze at the bottom of the ahi dish as he suddenly appears with a petite tower made up of charred avocado supported by thinly sliced cucumber housed in smoky marinade. The avocado is charred to perfection and the cucumbers have a subtle Asian-inspired aftertaste.

James and I sit back, completely satisfied with our appetizers, yet filled with anticipation for the main event of our culinary adventure. The dining patio around us, which looks out intimately on Town Square, hums loudly with the sound of clinking glasses and laughter, but I take no notice as my next two dishes arrive. Scallops perched on a bed of charred peach compote accompanied by a filet of sustainably caught salmon with delicate pea shoots and golden, balsamic glazed carrots—can this be real? I spend the next several minutes silently savoring every bite, appreciating the daring flavors that come together like a symphony of the senses.

I know one thing that is absolutely sure; dining fatigue is nowhere in sight here at Carneros Resort & Spa. We close the evening sipping on sweet dessert wine, spoons in hand, mesmerized by three delicate scoops of housemade blackberry sorbet. Three days at Carneros has certainly changed my perspective on the end of summer, allowing me to be thankful for the season’s experiences and perhaps even optimistic for what winter will bring. With any luck, it will bring me back to Carneros Resort and Spa.

carnerosresort.com

Written by Amy Dong